It arrives the same day that the BBC has extended the limit of time you can download and watch shows offline - from 7 to 30 days - on PC, mobile and tablets.

There's no word on why the service has taken so long to appear on Xbox One (it was available for PlayStation 4 in the UK at that console's launch).

iPlayer's Xbox 360 version was also delayed, due to Microsoft's long-standing (and as of this spring, now defunct) policy of locking apps behind the Xbox Live Gold paywall - something which contradicted the BBC's public-funded remit.

"TV is undoubtedly king at Christmas - and the arrival of BBC iPlayer on Xbox One gives viewers even more choice on how they watch," BBC iPlayer boss Dan Taylor-Watt explained.

"And 30 day downloads arrives just in time for those unwrapping new devices, perfect for catching up on the bumper Christmas schedule."